If you’ve ever encountered a 404 error while browsing the web, you know how frustrating it can be. Not only do you lose your place on the page you were trying to access, but you also have no idea where to go next. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to find and fix 404 errors. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to use Google Search Console and other tools to locate and fix these errors. We’ll also provide some tips on preventing them from happening in the first place. So if you’re ready to eliminate those pesky 404 errors, read on!

What Is a 404 Error?

A 404 error is a response code from a server that indicates that the requested resource could not be found. This can happen for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:

• The requested resource has been deleted
• The URL for the resource has been changed
• The server is experiencing technical difficulties

If you encounter a 404 error when trying to access a website, there are a few things you can do to try and resolve the issue:

• Check the spelling of the URL and try again
• Try accessing the site from a different browser or device
• Contact the owner of the site and let them know about the problem
• Wait a while and try again later

Why 404 Errors Are Bad

404 errors are bad for a number of reasons. First, they result in a poor user experience. When a user clicks on a link and ends up on a 404 page, they are likely to be confused and frustrated. This can lead to them leaving your site altogether.

Second, 404 errors can hurt your search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines use crawlers to discover new pages and add them to their indexes. If a crawler encounters a 404 error when trying to crawl a page, it will simply move on to the next page. This means that your site will be less likely to appear in search results, leading to fewer visitors.

Lastly, 404 errors can give you false information about your website. For example, if you have set up custom error pages, you may think that all of your 404 errors are being handled correctly. However, if there are still some links pointing to non-existent pages, those users will see the default 404 page instead of your custom one. This can give you a false sense of security that everything is working as it should when in reality, there are still some problems that need to be fixed.

What Is the Difference Between a 404 and a Soft 404?

When a website visitor tries to access a page on your site that doesn’t exist, they will see a 404 error page. A 404 error means that the page they were looking for could not be found. This can be due to various reasons, such as the page being deleted or moved to a new location.

A soft 404 error is different from a 404 error in that it returns a 200 OK status code instead of a 404 Not Found status code. A 200 OK status code means that the server could find the requested resource, but the content of the resource is empty. Soft 404 errors can occur for various reasons, such as when a search engine spider tries to index a page that doesn’t exist.

While both types of errors can be frustrating for website visitors, soft 404 errors are more likely to cause problems for your site because they can confuse search engines. If you have soft 404 errors on your site, you should fix them as soon as possible.

How To Identify 404 Errors

If you’re seeing 404 errors while browsing the web, it means that the website you’re trying to reach can’t be found. There are a few different ways to identify 404 errors:

• Check the URL of the page you’re trying to reach. If it’s spelled incorrectly or there are extra characters in the URL, that could be why you’re seeing a 404 error.
• Try reloading the page. Sometimes, a simple refresh can fix a 404 error.
• Check your internet connection. If you’re using a mobile device, make sure you have a good signal. If you’re on a computer, try restarting your router or modem.
• Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. Sometimes, old data in your browser can cause 404 errors.
• Try accessing the site from another device or another browser. If you can reach the site from another device or browser, then the problem is likely with your original device or browser.

How You Can Fix 404 Errors

If you’re seeing 404 errors on your website, there are a few things you can do to fix them.

First, check if the page you’re trying to access exists. You can create a new page with the same name if it doesn’t.

If the page does exist, but you’re still seeing a 404 error, it’s likely that the page has been moved or deleted. Again, you can try creating a new page with the same name.

If you’re still seeing 404 errors after taking these steps, it’s possible that there’s a problem with your website’s code. You’ll need to contact your web developer to investigate and resolve the issue.